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Marbled Murrelet

Brachyramphus

marmoratus

A member of the family Alcidae (auks), no subspecies are recognized in North America. Several species of seabird in a number of genera are referred to as “murrelets” in North America; Marbled Murrelet is one of only two members of the Brachyramphus genus for BC.

Marbled Murrelet is a chubby, “robin-sized” seabird (actually a small auk), with short neck and tail. The characteristic profile while swimming is for the tail and black bill to be tipped upwards. During the breeding season (summer), plumage on the back is dark brown with marbled light brown sides and stomach (camouflaging adults on the nest). Winter plumage becomes more distinct with the back darkening to black, and sides, belly, and wing patches becoming white along with a broken white collar. These colouration patterns also help to camouflage the marbled murrelet from predators on the open ocean as well as during underwater foraging. Juveniles have a similar size and body shape as adults but plumage has more extensive marbling that lasts over the winter until sexually mature.

A Marbled Murrelet Recovery Team was established in 1993 to plan the long-term conservation of Marbled Murrelets. The Recovery Team includes representatives of federal and provincial government agencies, industry and non-governmental organizations.

Murrelet Survival Project is committed to ensuring the long-term survival of America's favorite forest-nesting seabird, the Marbled Murrelet, by working with Washington State Dept. of Natural Resources to establish a conservation strategy based on the best available science.

A source for authoritative conservation information on thousands of plants and animals and hundreds of ecological communities in BC. From here connect to all provincial and federal recovery plans (including the SARA Registry), COSEWIC (Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada), Identified Wildlife guidance and conservation requirements for specific species and ecological communities of conservation concern impacted by forestry activities) and links to E-Flora and E-Fauna (the Electronic Atlas of the Plants and Wildlife of British Columbia).

A joint venture resource providing comprehensive information on a range of species and ecological communities specific to the Coast Region of BC (including the South, Central and North Coast, Vancouver Island and Haida Gwaii).

SOUTH COAST CONSERVATION PROGRAM

French translation of SCCP original content available upon request.

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